title: Typical and atypical dementia family caregivers: systematic and objective comparisons.
abstract: This systematic, objective comparison of typical (spouse, children) and atypical (in-law, sibling, nephew/niece, grandchild) dementia family caregivers examined demographic, caregiving and clinical variables. Analysis was of 1476 caregivers, of whom 125 were atypical, from the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregivers Health (REACH I and II) studies. Based on statistical and clinical significance, there were large effects for demographics but no large effects among caregivers or care recipients on clinical and caregiving variables. Non-spouse family members were more likely to be caring for women and unmarried individuals. Grandchildren and nieces/nephews provided care for older care recipients. For care recipients who are unmarried, older, or women, fewer care possibilities may be available; consequently family members other than spouse or children may become their caregivers. Once an individual becomes a caregiver, the clinical experience of dementia caregiving is similar across caregiver types. These findings have implications for clinical care and public policy.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38104, USA. linda.nichols@va.gov
authors.forename: Linda O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martindale-Adams
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Marshall J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Graney
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zuber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003710:Demography; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies